JHENAIDAH, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS) - A spell of cold weather has disrupted normal life in Jhenaidah as a cold wave continues to sweep over the northern and northwestern districts of the country, pushing working and labouring people into acute hardship.

For the last one week, the intensity of cold has sharply increased in the district, leaving daily life almost paralysed. The working and labouring communities have been the worst sufferers, with many struggling to manage their families due to the scarcity of work.

According to the Jashore and Chuadanga Regional Meteorological Office, temperatures have dropped across Chuadanga, Jashore, Meherpur, Jhenaidah, Kushtia and Magura districts since the middle of last week. A moderate cold wave is currently sweeping over Jashore and Chuadanga.

Day temperatures have fallen in Maheshpur, Harinakundu, Kotchandpur, Kaliganj and Sadar upazilas of Jhenaidah, while night temperatures have been hovering between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius almost every day. The cold has intensified further with the onset of chilly northern winds blowing across the district.

The prolonged cold spell has severely affected low-income labourers, including van and rickshaw pullers, agricultural workers and brick kiln labourers, who are finding it increasingly difficult to secure work. 

Many are unable to work due to the biting cold, while opportunities for temporary and migrant labourers have declined alarmingly, forcing many to remain unemployed at home.

At the Post Office intersection area of Jhenaidah town, day labourer Samad Hossain of Rajapur village was seen waiting for work. He said he comes to the town in search of work, as employers usually pick up labourers from the spot. 

"But because of the cold, no one is coming to hire workers. Even those who comes take labourers at lower wages, as there are more workers than jobs," he added.

Another day labourer, Daud Ali, said their livelihood depends entirely on physical strength. "As long as our bodies support us, our families survive. The cold has become so intense that even standing is painful. Still, we come and wait for work, but opportunities have decreased due to the cold," he said.

Anwar Hossain, a resident of the Pagla Kanai area of the town, told BSS that city residents often hire temporary labourers for household work. "The cold has increased and labourers are harder to find. At the same time, there is no sunshine throughout the day, which makes it difficult for us to carry out household work even if we want to. Both residents and labourers are suffering," he said.

As the cold intensifies, the distribution of warm clothes has begun across the district, including the district town, upazila towns, large markets and villages. 

Sources said warm clothes are being distributed among the homeless, destitute and labouring people through personal initiatives, social and voluntary organizations, as well as administrative efforts.